Newport Man Jailed for Directing Online Abuse of Filipino Children

A Newport man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for paying parents in the Philippines to sexually abuse their children while he watched via webcam.

Stephen Lane, 55, paid £20 to watch and direct the abuse of young girls, including a six-year-old child, between 2017 and 2023. The court heard he would specifically request younger children and express disappointment when victims were “too old”.

Judge Paul Hobson told Lane at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court: “The chat logs make clear that you repeatedly requested younger children to be made available. That’s not the alcohol talking, that’s your sexual interest in children talking.”

Lane pleaded guilty to 20 sexual offences, including causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child under 13. He will register as a sex offender for life and is subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

The National Crime Agency investigation led to Lane’s arrest in May 2023. He followed court proceedings with the assistance of a British Sign Language interpreter. 👨‍⚖️